Advent candles
Thanks Emma Morgan, for this beautiful creative series of Advent candle liturgies. I wanted to share it early for those who are still looking for ideas of how to celebrate each week during Advent.
A single candle wrapped in a wreath is lit each Sunday of Advent. Around this candle stories are shared and prayers are given and placed.
Hope candle
Candle Week 1 – Hope Candle
Hope Candle extra Materials: Small piece of paper or newspaper for each person. Markers.
Introduction.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this first week of Advent is a candle of hope. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the hope that came to this world when Jesus was born and his presence with us. Jesus said “I came so that everyone would have life, life in all its fullness. “
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the hope that Jesus has given us this week. When have you seen the gift of hope this week? When have you known God’s rescue come into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track “Dark Highway” by the Waifs for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of hope to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring fullness and hope into every life. We thank you for the hope you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of hope for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to write or draw your prayers of hope for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning and place it around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track “Dark Highway” by the Waifs.
Peace candle
Candle Week 2 – Peace Candle
Peace Candle extra Materials: Leaf for each person. Eg. Eucalypt or Bay.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this second week of Advent is a candle of peace. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the peace that Jesus brings into this world and his presence with us. Jesus said “27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the peace that Jesus has given us this week. When have you felt the gift of peace this week? When have you known God’s presence driving out fear in your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Peace at Last’ by Hem for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of peace to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring peace and freedom into every life. We thank you for the peace you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of peace for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to pick up a leaf and pray peace for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning then come and place your leaf prayer around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Peace at Last’ by Hem.
Joy candle
Candle Week 3 – Joy Candle
Joy Candle extra Materials: Confetti for each person.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this third week of Advent is a candle of joy. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the joy that Jesus brings into this world and his presence with us. Jesus said “ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the joy that Jesus has given us this week. When have you tasted the gift of joy this week? When have you known God’s provision, bringing happiness into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Christmas Joy’ by Fiona Joy Hawkins for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of joy to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring answers and joy into every life. We thank you for the joy you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of joy for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to pick up some confetti and pray joy for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning then come and place your confetti prayers around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Christmas Joy’ by Fiona Joy Hawkins.
Love candle
Candle Week 4 – Love Candle
Love Candle extra materials: Purple crepe streamers cut into ribbons for each person. Markers.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this fourth week of Advent is a candle of love. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the love that came to this world when Jesus was born and his presence with us. Jesus said “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the love that Jesus has given us this week. When have you shared in the gift of love this week? When have you known God’s love come into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of love to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring love and relationship into every life. We thank you for the love you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of love for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to write or draw your prayers of love for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning and place it around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly
Emma Morgan is a pastor at Eastern Hills community church in Melbourne Australia. Emma has enjoyed curating services, retreats, seasonal celebrations, mediation lunches and dinner services for people of all ages and backgrounds for the past twelve years.
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This is part of a series on Christmas/Advent resources.
- Advent Activities for Families and Kids for 2020
- Helping Kids Give Back This Christmas
- Celebrate With Simplicity This Christmas
- Advent/Christmas Music from a Rich Array of Traditions
- Getting Ready for Advent/Christmas Worship Resources for the Season
- Choosing Your Scripture Readings for the Coming Year
- Who Will You Invite to the Manger?
- What On Earth Are The O Antiphons
Resources from Godspace for Advent and Christmas
Godspace has a variety of resources available for celebrating this season.
- NEW BOOK! Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas + Advent Cards Bundle compiled by Christine Sine and Lisa DeRosa
- Lean Towards the Light Advent Retreat Online – video sessions by Christine Sine along with handouts to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent.
- A Journey Toward Home: Soul Travel For Advent to Lent compiled by Kristin Carroccino and Christine Sine
- Waiting for the Light: An Advent Devotional compiled by Ricci Kilmer, Susan Wade and Christine Sine
- Prayer Cards – more than Christmas gifts. These have been used for daily devotions, grief counselling, small groups and congregational prayers.
Check out the entire resource list here for more ideas for Advent and Christmas.
Godspace has a number of Advent resources available for both free download and purchase. Visit our store.
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Resources from Godspace for Advent and Christmas
Godspace has a variety of resources available for celebrating this season.
Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas + Advent Cards Bundle compiled by Christine Sine and Lisa DeRosa
A Journey Toward Home: Soul Travel For Advent to Lent compiled by Kristin Carroccino and Christine Sine
Waiting for the Light: An Advent Devotional compiled by Ricci Kilmer, Susan Wade and Christine Sine
Prayer Cards – more than Christmas gifts. These have been used for daily devotions, grief counselling, small groups and congregational prayers.
Check out the entire resource list here for more ideas for Advent and Christmas.
Godspace has a number of Advent resources available for both free download and purchase. Visit our store.
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